Need info on wireless slave triggers...

[Abel]

Need info on wireless slave triggers...

im looking to fire say 2 flashes wirelessly and need something that is not IR where a direct line of sight is needed...

i plan to have both flashesin 2 different locations and then have the transmitter mounted to my 20d.

im up for any suggestions since i have no clue about wireless triggers etc!

thanks in advance!

[srwatters]

I just bought one of the Chinese 4 channel units on eBay. Since I'm studio bound, I bought the A/C powered version. It works very well for me. I have it hung on the main light and fire all the other strobes as slaves. The range isn't an issue for me, but it should be good for like 100m. They have both A/C and battery powered units and have a 1/4" Microphone style connector with an adapter to 1/8" if you need it (my Alien Bee's do). You can also get an adapter for a PC style connector also, but it's not inlcuded in the box. Here is the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...%3AIT&rd=1

Check out his other auctions for the battery powered units. There are several reviews on the web, but here is the one that I read:
http://heim.ifi.uio.no/~gisle/photo/gt301b.html

The Pocket Wizzards are cool, but cost waaaaay more $$ and aren't really needed IMHO.

[anfernee576]

What kind of flash(s) are you going to be using? From what I know, the 580EX operates off of a radio frequenzy and can be set to different channels set by the master flash. Its supposed to be very usefull where others may have slave flashes operating around. The only way that the slaves will pop is when the master tells it to. Still more I have to read up on due to the fact that I am new to flash. But I am starting to LOVE my 580EX.

Anthony

[Abel]

very interesting... links scott

anthony, i will be using a 550ex and a 580ex (as soon as i order it)

also...i wont have a flash mounted on the camera so that may rule out the built in freq. option in the 580s. i can see how that would help if i had a 580 mounted on the camera itself.

[shutterflypro]

Pocket Wizards. They are expensive but you won't be dissappointed. I bought several different version of wireless triggers from ebay and they all failed on me at some point or another. Finally broke down and got the Pocket Wizards and I haven't been let down yet. With a 1600 foot distance I highly doubt they will let you down either.

[gpgyo]

Abel,

This is what I bought from eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...24003&rd=1

A week later I ordered a second set. This seller always has them listed and you can easily get them for $19.99 plus $15 shipping. Just be the first bidder and if someone else bids on the same auction, bid on the next one. You can write to the seller about just buying a second receiver but it will cost you almost as much as bidding on another one. For the few dollars more I spent I figure it gives me a back up transmitter. Very good seller, by the way. Ships the day you PayPal.

The transmitter is light weight, comes with the battery installed, has a test button on top and two DIP switches on the bottom for changing the operating channel. The receiver is also very light, takes 2 AA batteries (make sure you use fresh ones) and has a convenient loop on top that I threaded a cell phone wrist strap through to hang it on a stand. You could probably also fix it to the side of your flash or stand with Velcro. The fit and finish is decent but the build was not designed for much abuse. I would expect one drop and you will be buying another one. These are not Pocket Wizards. In my opion, though, its worth $35. So far I have tested it at about 30' range (through house walls) and it fired without fail.

How do you plan on connecting these wireless triggers to your Canon flashes? The receiver has a 1/4" mono plug but the set comes with a 1/4"-to-1/8" adapter.

Greg

[kevinb]

I use the battery operated units from Joe's Photo Auction on Ebay. No problems so far in the year and a half that I've been using them. They are cheap enough to have multiple recievers, two transmitters and still be less than half the cost of Pocket Wizard's. My transmitter is also much smaller than a Pocket Wizard.

[jtford]

Originally Posted by anfernee576

What kind of flash(s) are you going to be using? From what I know, the 580EX operates off of a radio frequenzy

The Canon Wireless system is Infrared.

To put it simply, the cheapest radio wireless unit is more reliable than the most expensive IR system. I've lost track of how many times I've missed shots because I was too lazy to drag out my Pocket Wizards, or forgot them.

(BTW - I love the 580, too. Just not the Canon wireless system.)

Abel, you're on the right track. Do you plan on getting some studio lights?

[dab94]

Soooooo......Abel? Did you buy something?

I'm now in a similar situation. Looking for a way to trigger off camera flash.
Nikon has wireless capability, but I'm not ready to buy another SB800 (or 600 for that matter) just yet.

[Abel]

not yet. i plan to get another flash... a 580ex to go along with my 550ex..

ill prolly try one of those inexpensive wireless sets from ebay... i dont need but maybe 15-25ft range

[dab94]

I was just looking at those. And now I have a dumb question.

What is the difference between this one
4-Channel Wireless Flash Trigger for Film or Digital

and this one
Wireless Radio Slave Flashlight 4 Channel--battery

Is it that one is AC powered and one is battery powered? Or is there something else I'm missing?

Thanks!

[Abel]

Originally Posted by gpgyo

How do you plan on connecting these wireless triggers to your Canon flashes? The receiver has a 1/4" mono plug but the set comes with a 1/4"-to-1/8" adapter.

Greg

good question... anyone know how? hehe ;)

[jeffkohn]

You have to buy a hotshoe adapter for the receiver.

[gpgyo]

Originally Posted by Abel

good question... anyone know how? hehe ;)

I mentioned how I did it (with a picture) in this post:

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=5830

Let me know if you have questions.

[Clint_Smith]

Pocket Wizards with the hotshoe adapters.....more expensive but it will work and you wont have as much headaches...